GTX 590 reviews

[h0bbes]

Even though i don't ever fully agree with the HWC reviews i don't think you can call the 590 review outdated or misleading. If i understood correctly, you are suggesting that every review site should keep updating their reviews whenever new drivers are released.

[deathman20]

Even though i don't ever fully agree with the HWC reviews i don't think you can call the 590 review outdated or misleading. If i understood correctly, you are suggesting that every review site should keep updating their reviews whenever new drivers are released.

Yeah love to see that happen.

People done have the time or money to keep revisiting cards all the time. Yes its new, though it does take time to do the benches and write a review for it.

[Sherman Tank]

Even though i don't ever fully agree with the HWC reviews i don't think you can call the 590 review outdated or misleading. If i understood correctly, you are suggesting that every review site should keep updating their reviews whenever new drivers are released.

No I'm not suggesting that, however the 590 is a special case.
When a card is released, later driver updates tend usually to improve performance etc. so even better for the consumer, however with the more aggressive OCP of latest band-aid drivers, performance will surely suffer as a result in any app that actually pushes the 590 capability.

However maybe the 'good' review sites are simply waiting for Nvidia to release it's further software based band-aid's (bios update) which probably mean more OCP (downclocking) across more if not all apps.

In most reviews, I still haven't seen any warnings about the potential for this
to blow up, overclocked or not overclocked?
Surely that's some pretty damn important info being withheld?

[Manicdan]

i dont think the 590 is that special, its based on 2 already existing cards, so driver updates might fix a few bugs, but i doubt you will see x% gains in every title

and i do agree that for a few driver revisions after each major release, reviews should be done to compare if there are any changes and how good they are

i also like to see reviews where they compare drivers from a year ago to current for cards that are at a pinnacle of price/performance to see how much has changed in the last year

i also just like seeing more and more reviews of different things, so more is never too much, lol

[Sherman Tank]

i dont think the 590 is that special, its based on 2 already existing cards, so driver updates might fix a few bugs, but i doubt you will see x% gains in every title

and i do agree that for a few driver revisions after each major release, reviews should be done to compare if there are any changes and how good they are

i also like to see reviews where they compare drivers from a year ago to current for cards that are at a pinnacle of price/performance to see how much has changed in the last year

i also just like seeing more and more reviews of different things, so more is never too much, lol

Sorry, I think you got the wrong end of the stick, since the reviews went live Nvidia has released multiple driver updates, each time increasing the aggressiveness of their OCP in an attempt to stop cards blowing up, and since that hasn't worked they are releasing a new Bios with more OCP.

With the 500 series, this OCP was only seen in apps like Furmark. The effect on OCP had a severe impact on FPS in furmark as the card down clocked to reduce power draw.

Nvidia are now having to implement this kind of OCP for the 590 in GAMES and not just stress apps, can you not see how this might be a big deal?

IMO, this could potentially be a huge deal depending on the level of OCP needed to stop cards frying.

Imagine reading a review showing number like this in games.



And then finding out later once you have bought the card your only getting numbers like this.



Don't know about you, but I would feel seriously

[Sherman Tank]

As for the "puff of smoke" issue, I am taking a wait and see approach rather than running around like my hair is on fire.

How long will the 'wait & see' approach take? Not too long I hope or a 590 users hair might catch on fire...

[JohnZS]

Hi initialised
I am sorry to see what has happened to your GTX 590
In fact I cannot get my head around how this happened on stock voltage and stock clocks. nVidia are (perhaps) using application profiles to control the Over Volt Protection. I suggest you contact your board maker for support, your card should still be under warranty.
Sadly not every QA process is perfect (which is why warranties exist). I hope that you manage to have your card replaced with no fuss from eVGA and have much better luck with the next one.
John

[Gilgamesh]

Ok, ok: Hitler's parody break
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFqxn804Vmk

[insurgent]

Thanks for that, it put a smile on my face. Trolling around various forums it looks like I'm not the only one to lose a 590 like this.

Question is will NV recall the ones that are already out there for a BIOS flash or are the expecting board partners to do it.

A member of Nvidia's focus group doubts your claims and thinks your photos of the burnt 590 are possibly shopped, since the burnt resistors is crooked relative to the others, is what he said.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost...&postcount=147

[Mad Pistol]

A member of Nvidia's focus group doubts your claims and thinks your photos of the burnt 590 are possibly shopped, since the burnt resistors is crooked relative to the others, is what he said.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost...&postcount=147

I've learned very quickly not to trust those supposed members of Nvidia's Focus Group. Most are trolls that have nothing better to do than praise nvidia users and bash AMD users. There's also one over on nvnews.net forums claiming that GTX 590 sales have heavily surpassed sales of the HD 6990.

When it's all said and done, the GTX 590 explodes, and the HD 6990 doesn't. Which would you get?

[cegras]

SKYMTL, will Hardware Canucks be revisiting the GTX 590 when the new bios is released?
Because already, what with all the countless driver revisions, your original review is so outdated it will be misleading potential customers, the card being advertised just isn't the card being sold anymore!

How ironic that we have had at least two examples right around the same time of your post of cards failing at stock settings. Driver revision doesn't matter, unless you can guarantee everyone will install it.

[SKYMTL]

No I'm not suggesting that, however the 590 is a special case.
When a card is released, later driver updates tend usually to improve performance etc. so even better for the consumer, however with the more aggressive OCP of latest band-aid drivers, performance will surely suffer as a result in any app that actually pushes the 590 capability.

However maybe the 'good' review sites are simply waiting for Nvidia to release it's further software based band-aid's (bios update) which probably mean more OCP (downclocking) across more if not all apps.

In most reviews, I still haven't seen any warnings about the potential for this
to blow up, overclocked or not overclocked?
Surely that's some pretty damn important info being withheld?

You're pushing things just a bit too far I think.

I've tested with the newest drivers and have seen absolutely no deviation in gaming performance on either of my GTX 590 cards (one from NVIDIA, one retail). I put my money where my mouth is and ponied up for one of these just to satisfy myself that the numbers I received were accurate. Both have been folding non-stop for the last week without any hiccup.

I have also heard nothing of a BIOS update either as my retail card (bought from Newegg) has the exact same BIOS revision as the reference one from NVIDIA.

The more I look at this, the more I side with Scott from TR: controversy sells. There seem to be a few people with multiple accounts at several sites that are inflaming the situation beyond what it should be. Anyone who tries to interject any form of reason is quickly shouted down. Alongside this is a list of sites and users that somehow had a camera running (and aimed straight at the problem area on the card) when the thing blew. Naturally, no one finds this in the least bit suspicious because...well...controversy sells, right?

From my perspective, I see no reason to issue any warning at all since I have yet to see any widespread issues being reported when using a retail card with the release day drivers.

I said this when the HD 4870X2 was released and I will say it again: people are more likely to voice their opinions when something goes wrong rather than when everything goes according to plan.

[Sherman Tank]

How ironic that we have had at least two examples right around the same time of your post of cards failing at stock settings. Driver revision doesn't matter, unless you can guarantee everyone will install it.

Sorry, not sure what you mean by this?

[Sherman Tank]

Thanks for replying...

You're pushing things just a bit too far I think.

I've tested with the newest drivers and have seen absolutely no deviation in gaming performance on either of my GTX 590 cards (one from NVIDIA, one retail).

Is there any deviation in power consumption?

I have also heard nothing of a BIOS update either as my retail card (bought from Newegg) has the exact same BIOS revision as the reference one from NVIDIA.

It maybe true or maybe not... http://www.kitguru.net/components/gr...ir-reputation/

The more I look at this, the more I side with Scott from TR: controversy sells. There seem to be a few people with multiple accounts at several sites that seem to be inflaming the situation beyond what it should be. Anyone who tries to interject any form of reason is quickly shouted down.

Lame excuse, there is clearly a serious issue (as confirmed by other reviewers and normal consumers) and Nvidia should be following Intel's lead and issue a recall.

From my perspective, I see no reason to issue any warning at all since I have yet to see any widespread issues being reported when using a retail card with the release day drivers.

Considering this is a low volume card, and considering the number of reviewers copies that have died as well as ordinary consumers, there is clearly a serious issue with these cards, so much so that I suggest your simply lucky yours haven't died yet, what with all that folding you'v been doing.

[SKYMTL]

Thanks for replying...
Is there any deviation in power consumption?.

Not in any of the games I have tested.

Lame excuse, there is clearly a serious issue (as confirmed by other reviewers and normal consumers) and Nvidia should be following Intel's lead and issue a recall.

I see no widespread reporting of the issue. We keep VERY good relations with a number of North American retailers and so far the RMA rate on the GTX 590 is well below average. I don't take forum postings as a clear indication of widespread issues.

[cowie]

Your card blowing up has turned to ten because of the different forums you posted on lol
you are making it hard to count dead cards

That said bummer you had a card blow up.

[SKYMTL]

I usually stick to one account (with the same username) per site but I do visit several sites (sorry I haven't gotten around to posting the pic on yours yet). What bothers me is the suspiscion that NVIDIA wants it played down where Intel threw they're hands up before anyone had noticed.

Not saying that it's widespread, it could just be the way I ran it that had it overload. But for a brand new card to die on the latest AAA (NVIDIA sponsored game) is bad news and needs to be aired. Even if it is just me and a handful of users who've seen it.

I completely agree with you. Yeah, NVIDIA wants to play it down; that's the way that PR works these days. I mean how many times have we seen a situation where a company says: "We take this very seriously..." and then doesn't do anything.

I'm not really one to disagree or agree with the way NVIDIA handles their potential issues but I do like transparency rather than attack articles which deny or TRY to prove everything in order to appease the PR folks or garner traffic. It seems like both are happening these days which makes it hard for consumers to decide which stance to take.

Stating the obvious is the next thing I'll do. Products die or something goes bump in the night which screws things up. That's why there are RMA services and warranties. At this point though it looks like NVIDIA was dealing with a seriously half baked OCP on pre-release drivers rather than a widespread hardware problem.

[DarthShader]

I have the card right here. What do you want? ten different photos from ten different cameras?

I think this would be a good idea actualy, to clear up some confusion. Cause you claim to have an EVGA Classified here: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...27#post4798627 , yes?

And that's how an EVGA Classfied backplate actualy looks like:



You show the stock backplate(s). Maybe you didn't get a fully featured card form EVGA... ?

[Sherman Tank]

I completely agree with you. Yeah, NVIDIA wants to play it down; that's the way that PR works these days. I mean how many times have we seen a situation where a company says: "We take this very seriously..." and then doesn't do anything.

That's not how SB went, but I guess Nvidia has a history of knowingly selling faulty goods, for example like when they used incorrect under-fill in their mobile gpus, yet carried on as usual, and tried to fix the hardware problem with a software fix (bios update), sound familiar?...

Stating the obvious is the next thing I'll do. Products die or something goes bump in the night which screws things up. That's why there are RMA services and warranties. At this point though it looks like NVIDIA was dealing with a seriously half baked OCP on pre-release drivers rather than a widespread hardware problem.

That's the official damage control spiel, but there are reports of cards dyeing with the latest drivers with cards running stock?

[SKYMTL]

That's not how SB went, but I guess Nvidia has a history of knowingly selling faulty goods, for example like when they used incorrect under-fill in their mobile gpus, yet carried on as usual, and tried to fix the hardware problem with a software fix (bios update), sound familiar?...

Huh? How history changes when you look at it though foggy glasses...

NO ONE knows how the Intel situation went down and what was decided when. They actually sold tens of thousands of boards BEFORE coming clean on SB. The indication that the problem affected EVERY PCH chip is likely what prompted the recall, wouldn't you think? Where is there any indication that EVERY GTX 590 will fail?

That's the official damage control spiel, but there are reports of cards dyeing with the latest drivers with cards running stock?

I see no proof anywhere every card that has died has used stock settings and the latest drivers. No one other than the people in question really know what they were running.

Yes, I am sure SOME (like maybe initialised's card) died while running reference settings. But that isn't different from any other release since a certain number of units are bound to have some problems. It happens with memory, cars, TVs, coffee makers, lawnmowers, cell phones, etc, etc.


Is this any excuse? No, not at all. I just think you are blowing this out of proportion before knowing all of the facts and numbers involved.

[Buckeye]

Something very strange going on here.

EVGA did not ship out any Classified 590gtx's without the full back plate.

So your pictures of the Classified 590gtx top is correct, but your back side pictures are not from what I can tell.

I see no posts over at EVGA about your issue showing your pictures. I might have missed it as there is a lot of posts over there.

Can you provide a link on EVGA forums showing your problem and pictures ?

[Cordell Cahill]

I thought the EVGA backplate was an optional part

[Buckeye]

I thought the EVGA backplate was an optional part

Not on these cards. All Classified 590gtx's shipped with full back plates

[cowie]

There is no mistaking a classy 590 with the others...unless you have press sample??or just was hitting the booze? j/kin

you show the asus card going by the pad or is that just a stock photo?
is the card retail??????? do you know what brand you ordered???its retail only i'm concerned with....for my studys
thanks for any responce

[Buckeye]

Ah so you are a OEM builder. I take it you brought this up through your channels then and EVGA is taking care of all this for you.